Information & Links
Activating Traffic Lights in Juneau
By Dan McCrummen
As many of you are aware; most of the
traffic lights on roadways approaching our main thoroughfare (Egan)
have sensors to cycle the traffic light to green. As I’ve been
stuck at more than one intersection in town I queried the Highway
Maintenance staff at DOT/PF to gain a better understanding of how
these sensors work and where they are located.
I found out that all of the sensors in
Juneau
roadways (in fact, through much of
Alaska) are activated by a motor vehicle
crossing an electrical field, causing disruption of the field.
The field is created by a 6’ x 6’ wire loop placed under the
pavement. The loops are
placed in the center of the traffic lane, close to the cross walk or
stop line. The actual
distance back from the cross walk or stop line varies between
intersections, but are typically where the center of an automobile
would be stopped at a traffic light.
For motorcycles it is recommended that you approach these
intersections in the center of the traffic lane (oil line), stopping
approximately a car’s length back from the cross walk or stop line.
When group riding, if two motorcycles approach an
intersection, intending on stopping side by side, they should both
cross the loop area at the oil line before moving to the left or
right and stopping.
Several of the roadways in Juneau were repaved in the
summer of 2006. At one
intersection, as DOT/PF workers were applying a loop and adjusting
the electrical field for sensitivity, a Buell motorcycle was used as
a test vehicle. The
technician was unable to adjust the sensor to allow the Buell to
activate the light, most like due to the alloy metals used in the
frame. Sport bikes, as
they are intended to be lightweight, may have difficulty activating
the sensors. I
understand that one can purchase magnets that are specifically
designed for placing under a motorcycle to help activate traffic
light sensors. In this
case, owners of sport bikes might consider looking in to that
option.
A word of caution, in speaking to a JPD officer,
if your motorcycle fails to activate a traffic light, going through
the light while red is a traffic violation and tickets issued in
those situations have been upheld in court.
If you get caught at a light, back the motorcycle up over the
center line where you believe the loop to be and attempt to again
activate the sensor, otherwise, safely leave the turn lane.
Informational Links
-
MSF
Motorcycle Safety Foundation
- MRF
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
- NASMSA
National Association of State
Motorcycle Safety Administrators
-
BRO
Bikers Rights Online!
-
AMA
American Motorcyclist Association
-
Coast Guard Riders
Coast Guard Riders Forum
-
ABATE of Alaska
ABATE of
Alaska Inc.
